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Any Thomas Pynchon fans here?

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I've recently been introduced to the work of Thomas Pynchon by reading "The Crying of Lot 49", and his newest novel, "Inherent Vice". In attempting to write reviews for these books, I've found that he's probably the most difficult author to pin down stylistically with words that I've ever come across. His plots move so knee-jerkingly fast in multiple directions with a plethora of characters coming in and out at different points of the story. Yet, there's a beauty and a genius to his style of writing that seems to be unmatched by any other author I've ever read. His books take time to read because of the density of the stories and prose, but the satisfaction that comes out of it is special. Anyone else here read his books? Any fans?

I read Gravity's Rainbow when I was eighteen, and became hooked. The only two I haven't read of his are Vineland and Mason & Dixon. But I'll get to those eventually.

Against the Day was panned by critics but I thought it was fantastic. I wish he'd write more sprawling, uneven, unfocused novels like that, because they're a joy for me to read.

V is a solid, weird little novel that grows on you after you put it down. It's by far his most "mysterious" novel.

Crying of Lot 49 is a fun read, but my least favourite of his.

Gravity's Rainbow, though, man, that's a fucking killer book.

A couple years after I read it, we studied it in college. By then I had reread it, and I was much more comfortable talking about Pynchon. I gave a presentation on GR called "Preterition in Gravity's Rainbow." It was a blast.

I don't think many authors have influenced me as much as he has. My roommate is crazy about him too. We may start a Pynchon society in our town.

Because his books will make you want to write more than ever, to write more and better than ever. You may hate him, you may adore him, but you certainly will become a better writer if you learn from his successes and his failures.

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